Overview
Ayyappan, also known as Dharmasastha and Manikandan, is a Hindu deity associated with truth and righteousness. According to Hindu theology, he is described as the son of Shiva and Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu, and is therefore regarded as a figure that bridges the Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions. He is venerated as a warrior deity known for ascetic devotion to Dharma, the ethical and right way of living.
In iconography, Ayyappan is usually depicted as a youthful man riding or seated near a Bengal tiger and holding a bow and arrow. Some representations show him bearing a sword and mounted on an Indian elephant or a horse, while others portray him in a yogic posture wearing a bell around his neck.
The legends associated with Ayyappan vary across regions, reflecting a tradition that evolved over time. In Malayalam lore, he is presented as a warrior prince of the Pandala kingdom. Later narratives expanded these stories, describing him as a warrior who protected people from evil-doers and helped restore Dharmic practices, before evolving into a deity. In several regions, Ayyappan and the Tamil folk deity Ayyanar are considered to be the same, sharing similar characteristics.
While the worship of Ayyappan was earlier prevalent in Kerala, its popularity spread across much of Southern India during the 20th century. Several temples in the region are dedicated to him, the foremost being Sabarimala, located on the banks of the Pamba river in the forests of the Western Ghats. It is a major pilgrimage destination, attracting large numbers of devotees annually. Pilgrims often undertake weeks of preparation by leading a simpler life, observing celibacy, and trekking to the hill barefoot while carrying an irumudi, a bag containing offerings, on the head.
References
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Ayyappan.